Derivative Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments

3. Derivative Instruments

The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risk managed by the use of derivative instruments is foreign currency exchange risk. The Company holds forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not designated as any type of accounting hedge as defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company uses these contracts to manage its exposure to exchange rate fluctuations on certain Company subsidiary cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other obligation balances that are denominated in currencies other than the entities’ functional currencies. The forward foreign exchange contracts are recognized on the balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at fair value. Gains and losses arising from recording the foreign exchange contracts at fair value are reported in earnings as offsets to the losses and gains reported in earnings arising from the re-measurement of the receivable and payable balances into the applicable functional currencies. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had open forward foreign currency exchange contracts, all with settlement dates of about one month, to buy or sell foreign currencies with a U.S. dollar equivalent of $51,623,000 and $20,289,000, respectively.

The Company is exposed to volatility in short-term interest rates and, at times, mitigates certain portions of that risk using interest rate swaps and designating such swaps as cash flow hedges. The interest rate swaps are recognized on the balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at fair value. Period-to-period changes in the fair value of interest rate swap hedges are recognized as gains or losses in other comprehensive income, to the extent effective. As each interest rate swap hedge contract is settled, the corresponding gain or loss is reclassified out of AOCI into earnings in that settlement period. At December 31, 2014, the Company held no significant interest rate swap contracts. At December 31, 2013, the Company held interest rate swap contracts with notional values of $2,268,000.

The fair values of the derivative instruments held by the Company on December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, and derivative instrument gains and losses for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, were immaterial. For amounts reclassified out of AOCI into earnings for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, see Note 19.